LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- People in Mount Washington called for action as fentanyl continues to claim the lives of hundreds of Kentuckians each year. 

One Bullitt County family honored those who have died from overdoses and hopes to prevent it from happening to others. 

"This is a drug war, and we have to fight it. We have to spread awareness and education," Laura Thurman said.

The Thurman family displayed more than 200 faces, names and ages for people to see.

Signs at Morgan's Mission

Morgan's Mission held a walk in Bullitt County on Aug. 25, 2024.

Laura Thurman and her husband George founded Morgan's Mission after their 23-year-old daughter Morgan Lewis died from a fentanyl overdose in Feb. 2022.

"I keep trying to live for her," Lauran said. "It takes all of us together, those in recovery, they hug on us, we hug on them. They support us. We support them. It takes a whole community. We just can't do this alone."

According to the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, fentanyl is the state's number one opioid killer. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, some of whom aren't aware they're taking it since it's commonly mixed into other drugs. Fentanyl is also made into pills that resemble prescription opioids.

"It's really bad, and it's an epidemic that we all need to help and fight," said Chasity Lewis, Morgan's sister in law.

Fentanyl caused 79% of last year's overdose deaths in Kentucky. Methamphetamine was second.

"A lot of people are still holding the stigma or judgmental and I think that you have to be addicted or only certain people can become addicted," Lewis said. "You don't have to be addicted. It can affect anybody. Kids are getting Skittles that are laced."

On Sunday, Morgan's Mission hosted its third annual memorial walk. It started with a dove release and ended with community leaders advocated for change.

"I lost my daughter to an overdose," said Andrew Hager, who attended the walk. "There's no time limit on grief."

For the Thurmans, it's a mission to save others from the pain they've experienced.

"We're going to be doing this for many years to come," Laura said.

"We don't just want to support people who lost their children. We don't want us to just support ones recovery. We want to support the ones that are still struggling. They're in the middle. They're not dead. They're not in recovery. So we want to support them also. There's people here that can support them," George Thurman, Morgan's father.

On October 26th, Morgan's Mission will be hosting a car show auction in Mt. Washington.

"I want to be so thankful for Morgan's mission and for them never giving up, and to continue to carry their daughter's name," Hager said.

For more information about Morgan's Mission and to get involved, click here. For more information about VOCAL-KY and how to get involved, click here. 

Related Stories: 

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.